Edward: How Did You Get Started
Playing New Age Piano?
Joe: I
began taking piano lessons at six years old. I started playing easy
listening or new age piano after learning the basic chord
progressions and how to improvise with left hand accompaniment.
Playing the piano is a great way for me to relax and unwind at the
end of the day.
Edward: What Inspires You and Informs Your
Music?
Joe: Much
of my musical inspiration comes from reflecting on life experiences,
as well as the elements of nature. For example, the magic beauty of
a colorful flower garden, floating butterflies and soft wind chimes
on a warm, sunny day. Or a gentle April rain, or the sound of
combines harvesting grain on a moonlit, autumn
night.
Edward: What Is Your Method for
Composing a Piano Piece?
Joe: A new song usually begins from humming or singing a musical
phrase and then trying it out on the piano. I tend to create a
song in pieces and collect them much like a quilter acquires scraps
of cloth to make a quilt. Although most of my songs have not
contained lyrics, I usually create 2-3 large musical themes similar
to a verse, chorus and bridge.
Edward: Do you Get Blocked
Creatively and if so, How do You Get Past It?
Joe: Yes. I think there are times when everyone’s creativity can get blocked. The more you
think about creative blocks, the less successful you’ll be in
overcoming them. So, I work on other activities or try new things.
I’ve found that I can really refresh my creativity through new
experiences because it expands my thinking. It doesn’t have to be
expensive like a vacation to a foreign country. Even uncovering
ordinary things that you’ve never noticed before in your own
backyard can help. I try new restaurants and different ethnic
cuisines, take new roads when driving to a destination, learn how to
do a new art or craft…those kinds of things. Then, I can return to
composing music with a fresh
perspective.
Edward: What Advice Would You Give
to Aspiring New Age Pianists?
Joe: Besides the obvious advice to practice, it’s important
that playing the piano is fun. Piano music without emotion is
boring—so, tell a story and convey the mood through tempo, dynamics,
expression, chords and melody. Learning to play new age piano should
be exciting, not a chore!
